16. Chapter 16
With my head against my seat, I try to subtly look at Tiff from the corner of my eye. She’s watching the road, driving us back to Zach’s house, and I can’t stop staring.
God, she’s fucking beautiful.
Her fingers tap anxiously against the steering wheel as she tucks her bottom lip under her teeth.
I desperately want to reach over and calm her nerves, but I don’t. It’s not my place. Never has been. Most likely, never will be.
Ella’s soft snores fill the silence, and I can’t deny how much I enjoy this. Being here—being with them… feeling like we’re a family.
Family?
Fuck, Jamie. That’s a dream you blew up when you suggested Reese date the only person you’ve ever truly been interested in.
“So,” I say, clearing my throat. “What time should I be at your house for the babysitting?”
“Babysitting?” she asks lightly.
“For your salsa classes with Reese.”
Yeah, I’m bringing it up again because I refuse to be that guy anymore. The one who puts all of his wants and needs before the girl he’s dating or trying to co-parent with. It’s exactly what I did to Honey, and it’s time to prove I meant what I said.
She glances at me briefly before returning her eyes to the road. “You were serious about that?”
“Of course I was.” My voice cracks slightly, but I hope she doesn’t notice, and then I shift in my seat to look at her more fully. “I’m excited to be on Ella duty, and you should have some fun with Reese.”
The way her face tightens at the mention of Reese's name doesn't escape me, but I don't know why. She’s probably embarrassed and doesn’t want to admit that she actually has feelings for him. I’m not surprised.
It was my first thought when I saw them together at the diner.
It’s clear there’s something going on with the two of them, and I need to let her explore that, even if it makes me feel like someone ripped my heart out and threw it across a football field.
Does a tiny part of me hope she’ll go on this date and realize I’m the one for her? Yes, but I’ll keep that to myself. I can’t force her to have feelings for me just because we have a child together.
“Jamie, you don't have to do that. I can get Zach or—”
“I want to,” I interrupt gently. “Besides, what else am I going to do? Sit in my depressing hotel room refreshing my emails hoping someone will just offer me a job without interviewing me?” I force a grin.
“This is way better. Ella and I can have a movie marathon.
Who knows, maybe I'll finally understand the appeal of that Mr. Nibbles and me song Ella is constantly singing.”
That gets a small smile from her. “She'll make you watch Iced Out at least three times.”
“I'm prepared for that sacrifice,” I joke, knowing full well it’s not a sacrifice. It’s a privilege to be here, and to be trusted to take care of her.
When the large gates open, Tiff pulls into the driveway, she turns the engine off before glancing at Ella in the backseat. Ella’s completely passed out with her chin resting on her chest. I want to get her in before she hurts her neck.
“I'll carry her in,” I offer, already unbuckling my seatbelt.
Tiff opens her mouth like she's going to protest, then closes it. “Okay. Thank you.”
I ease out of the car and open the back door as quietly as possible. Ella doesn’t stir as I carefully unbuckle her car seat and wrap my hands around her sides to pick her up. Her head immediately rests on my shoulder, and her breath fans against my neck.
I look down at her and smile.
She's so small—so light—so impossibly perfect.
How is it even possible to love someone so much when you’ve only just met them?
I kiss her on the forehead as Tiff grabs Ella’s ballet bag and her purse.
That’s when it hits me. This feeling is so sharp and deep, it’s almost overwhelming.
I’m happy.
For the first time in my miserable fucking life, I’m so fucking happy I can feel it in my bones.
This.
This is what my father tried to steal from me.
Tiff walks by me, fishing for her keys, when I hear someone call out her name.
A man in his mid-fifties in a baseball cap is sneaking through the gates.
I hold Ella to my chest tighter, ready to protect her at all costs.
“Do you know that man?” I ask just as his eyes zero in on Tiff. It’s not a pleasant look in any shape or form.
Who the fuck is this man, and why is he looking at the two people I love most in this world like he knows them?
Tiff freezes on the porch, her face draining of color. “Dad?”
Oh, fuck.
This is him. The man who kicked his pregnant daughter out. Who chose his pride over his own child. Who let Tiff struggle alone for years while he did nothing.
“What are you doing here?” Her tone is so flat, I can’t tell what she’s feeling.
I know what I’m feeling. Anger. Rage. Annoyance.
Her dad stuffs his hands in his pockets and smiles. “I came looking for Zach. Didn’t think I’d find you here,” he says, his gaze sliding from Tiff to me, then to our daughter. “Living in sin with some punk—”
“I live here with Zach,” Tiff cuts in, her voice firm. “What do you want?”
He takes another step forward, and I follow, partially covering her. “I haven’t seen you in four years, and that’s how you greet me? I thought I raised my daughter better than that.”
“Daughter?” Her voice is wavering. I want to intervene and protect Tiff, but it’s not my place…
yet. The reality is, just a couple weeks ago, people would have viewed me with the same disdain as him.
“You lost the right to call me your daughter the night you threw me out.” She's trembling now, her keys rattling in her hand. “Leave. Please.”
“Not until we talk.” His voice rises, and Ella stirs against my shoulder. “Is that my granddaughter?”
“Leave.” Tiff’s voice breaks, and fury bleeds through.
“Tiff.”
“No. You don’t get to dictate things anymore.
” Tears are streaming down her face now, and I feel her lean into me.
If I wasn’t holding Ella right now, I’d wrap my arms around her and carry her inside.
“You told me that I was an embarrassment to the family. You slammed the door in my face when I was six months pregnant and scared out of my mind.”
“I was angry—”
He takes another step forward, his hands gesticulating wildly. That’s when my instincts take over. I move between him and Tiff, Ella still cradled carefully in my arms.
“She asked you to leave,” I say sternly. “I suggest you listen.”
He blows out an amused breath, assessing me. “Oh, are you the new boyfriend?” His eyes rake over me before they drop to Ella. “Think you can play house with my daughter and—”
“Jamie, stop,” Tiff says urgently. “Please. Take Ella inside—”
“I’m not leaving you out here with him,” I say without moving.
“You should listen to your girlfriend,” her father sneers, taking another step forward. “This is family business. You got no part in—”
“I’m Ella’s father,” I blurt out, wishing I could stuff the words back in my mouth.
Why the hell did I just give this guy more ammunition?
“Father?” he says in shock, looking between the two of us. “You’re the rich prick who finally decided—”
“That’s enough.” The voice comes from behind me, and I turn to see Zach drop his gym bag on the pavers and stride up the walkway, his face like thunder.
“Zachy Boy.” Tiff’s father holds his arms out, offering a warm smile. “It’s been too long. See you’ve still got the bike we were building together. Did you finish the work on it?”
“Don’t start with pleasantries to me, Uncle C. You’ve shown up here, running your mouth, and you think you get to lecture anyone on family?”
Tiff’s dad takes a step back, but Zach’s not backing down. He steps in close, so close that the man has to tilt his head back to meet his eyes.
“Zach,” he says, and there’s no denying the fear behind Tiff’s father’s eyes. “I just want to talk to my daughter—”
“You don’t have a daughter anymore.” Zach’s voice is dangerously quiet. “My parents have a daughter because of you. I have a sister now, but you don’t have a daughter. Not anymore.”
“I was angry. I made some mistakes—”
“You made choices,” Zach corrects, positioning himself next to me. “And now you have to live with them. Tiff, do you want to talk to him?”
“No.” Her voice is small but certain. “I want him to leave.”
“You heard her.” Zach and I form a wall—two men who have nothing in common except the woman behind us and our willingness to protect her. “Leave. Before this gets ugly.” He points to the gate door that’s still open from when he walked through and waits.
For a long moment, no one moves. Ella shifts in my arms, making a small sound, and I adjust my grip automatically, keeping her secure.
Tiff's father looks at his granddaughter for the first time, really looks at her, and something crosses his face. Regret? Longing? I don't know and I don't care.
“This isn't over,” he finally says, but he's already backing toward his car. “She's my blood. I have rights—”
“You have nothing,” Zach says flatly. “And if you show up here again, I'm calling the police. Trespassing, harassment, whatever sticks. Try me.”
The man glares at us one more time, then walks to the gate, all the while Zach follows him. When he’s on the other side, Zach slams it shut, leaving us with no sight of him.
He’s gone, but the tension doesn't leave immediately. We all stand there in the aftermath with the sound of Ella's soft breathing as the only thing anchoring us to the present.
“Tiff.” I turn carefully, mindful of the girl in my arms. She's standing on the porch, tears streaming down her face, and her whole body shaking.
“I'm sorry,” she whispers. “I'm so sorry—”
“Don't.” Zach moves first, taking the steps two at a time to pull her into a one-armed hug. “Don't you dare apologize for him.”
I follow more slowly, Ella still asleep against my shoulder despite everything. When I reach the porch, Tiff looks up at me, her eyes red and devastated.
“Thank you,” she manages. “Both of you. I don't know what he would have—”